Cinnamon Banana Cake with Vanilla Frosting

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Cinnamon Banana Cake with Vanilla Frosting; moist and fluffy banana cake with sweet cinnamon and a generous splodge of vanilla frosting.

Are you a cake person or a frosting person?

Much like the debate between those who love the chewy edge of a brownie or the fudgy middle – or the quarrel between soft or crunchy cookies – it’s a timeless divide. Do you want more of the fluffy cake that perfectly balances out the frosting’s sweetness? Or is the cake nothing but a chunky vehicle for the creamy heaven that frosting offers?

As I messily splodged the vanilla frosting onto the cake you see before you, it’s almost all I could think about. I’ve never stepped confidently into either camp, while so many others do. Cake is both so light and yet so satisfying. But can I ever resist licking the frosting bowl?

Regardless of which side you fight for, I hope you’ll find this recipe brings you the best of both.

I also couldn’t stop thinking that 2020 probably made most of you lovely people a tad tired of banana bread and its various forms…

But I had a particularly manky-looking banana to use up, so here you go.

If you are someone who is bored of banana bread, I assure you, this might just bring you back to its fruity delights. Made with just one banana (rather than the one, two, or six that some banana breads or banana cakes are made with), this Cinnamon Banana Cake with Vanilla Frosting is light and gentle in its flavour. A nice balance of banana, cinnamon, and vanilla means this is less of an assault on the senses and more of a blissful experience. Promise.

Bite into the cake and you’ll find it’s shockingly light. Despite the moisture from the brown sugar and banana, it’s a real fluffy little number. The vanilla frosting on top nicely adds some sweetness and creaminess without making the cake too rich. It’s an ideal tea time snack, or a small dessert.

This Cinnamon Banana Cake with Vanilla Frosting could also be easily made into 12 frosted cupcakes or into a 2-layer cake with exactly the same ingredient quantities! It’s a great recipe to have in your repertoire, being nice and versatile. It seems to fit into any season too. The spices lend well to autumn and winter, while the lightness of the texture and vanilla flavour are also wonderfully welcome in the warmer months. I’ve been baking and enjoying this cake for years, and am very happy to finally be sharing its recipe!

Go grab a neglected spotty banana and get stirring, lads.

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To make this Cinnamon Banana Cake with Vanilla Frosting, just follow the recipe below!

BE A MAVERICK: why not stir some chopped pecans through the cake batter before baking?

This Cinnamon Banana Cake with Vanilla Frosting will keep well for up to 3 days, but is best enjoyed fresh!